United States of America

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of raising the risk of nuclear war by threatening to spurn a key arms control treaty and refusing to hold talks about another pact that expires soon.
In a news conference that lasted more than three hours, Putin also backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull troops out of Syria, said British Prime Minister Theresa May had no choice but to implement Brexit and that Western democracy was under serious strain.
The annual event, the 14th of…

WASHINGTON: The United States plans to counter the rapidly expanding economic and political influence of China and Russia in Africa, where the two nations use corrupt business practices with little regard for the rule of law, according to prepared remarks on Thursday by U.S. national security adviser John Bolton.
The United States’ No 1. priority will be developing economic ties with the region to create opportunities for American businesses and protect the independence of African countries, as well as U.S. national…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has lodged strong protest with United States of America (USA) for blacklisting Pakistan over alleged violation of religious freedom in country, ARY News reported on Wednesday.
As per details, senior officials of the American consulate were summoned at the ministry of foreign affairs, and were handed over a dossier as a protest over including Pakistan into the list of countries involved in alleged violation of religious freedom.
“Minorities are enjoying equal rights and freedom according to the…

LONDON: Gold prices touched below $1,200 per ounce on Monday to their lowest since late January 2017, losing out to U.S. Treasuries and a strong dollar as investors sought refuge from a financial market rout triggered by a crashing Turkish lira.
Investors traditionally use gold as a means of preserving the value of their assets during times of political and economic uncertainty and inflation, but it has this year failed to benefit. Instead investors have made a beeline for U.S. Treasuries, seen as the ultimate safe haven,…

NEW DELHI: U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis held talks with Indian leaders on Tuesday to deepen military ties including the potential sales of U.S. jet fighters and surveillance drones that experts say are aimed at helping it rein in China’s influence in the region.
Jim Mattis is the first cabinet rank official to visit India under the Trump administration and was due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ties between India and the United States have rapidly expanded with New Delhi buying weapons worth $15 billion…

SEOUL/WASHINGTON: South Korea said on Monday it was preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States and ramping up its ballistic missile defenses in response to North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier.
The United Nations Security Council was set to meet later on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against the isolated regime. U.S. President Donald Trump had also asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defense chief.
South Korea’s air force and army…

BRUSSELS: The European Union sounded an alarm on Saturday about moves in the US Congress to step up US sanctions on Russia, urging Washington to keep coordinating with its G7 partners and warning of unintended consequences.
In a statement by a spokeswoman after Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress reached a deal that could see new legislation pass, the European Commission warned of possibly "wide and indiscriminate" "unintended consequences", notably on the EU's efforts to diversify energy sources away from Russia.…

NEW YORK: Airstrikes at a Syrian airbase by the United States (U.S.) sparked protests in many U.S. cities on Friday, ARY News reported.
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s military action against Syria, protests in 20 different cities were held, two alone in New York on Friday evening one in front of Trump Tower while another at Union Square.
An anti-war and anti-racism campaign group ANSWER (Act now to Stop War and End Racism) organized the rally in front of Trump Tower. The organization has been devoted…

WASHINGTON: Secret documents of America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) revealed that Pakistan former military ruler general Zia-ul-Haq had promised United States that he will not build a nuclear bomb.
It should be noted that CIA has declassified its secret documents, based on 13 million pages, after completion of 20 years.
Former US President Ronald Reagan, in the letter, had expressed his concerns over Pakistan's nuclear programme.
CIA documents stated that Zia -- in his letter to Reagan -- assured him that…

WASHINGTON: Muslims in the United States who were rounded up and detained in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks took their case before the US Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The US high court reviewed whether the men, who say they were held after the Al-Qaeda attack based solely on their identity as Arab Muslims, had the right to sue top US officials including then-attorney general John Ashcroft and Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert Mueller, for their allegedly illegal detention.
The…